Ah, who doesn't love lingerie? Whether a life-long member of the M&S club of pants or a French silk-loving siren, we all have a preference when it comes to size, style, fabric or just general comfiness.

With Valentine's Day around the corner, I had the idea of trying to make my own – after all, with my limited craft patience and sewing skills, what could be better than a small project involving pretty materials and a new pair of undies?

What you'll need

What to do

1. As with every sewing project, you'll need a pattern. You can buy these all over the place, from John Lewis to Kwik Sew on the web. Alternatively, you could make your own: pick an old pair of knickers that you like the fit of, cut at the seams and use the pieces to make a pattern. Make sure you keep the fabric as flat as possible when you are tracing.

Here's a hint from Laurel Waldron, sewing instructor at The Make Lounge: "When using an old pair of knickers as a pattern," she says, "always remember to add seam allowances, and make sure you are making your knickers in the same kind of fabric as your original. The size of a pair of stretchy briefs, for example, will be smaller than something made out of unyielding woven cotton."

Be warned – the drawn-on knickers might look quite big on paper!

2. Choose some pretty fabric (make sure it's soft) and cut out the pieces from your pattern. You can go as crazy as you like with this. Buy one of the stunning patterns at Liberty, order a luxurious silk fabric from The Silk Society, use a vintage fabric or even just recycle a favourite old T-shirt, like this brilliant blogger did.

Stretch fabrics are best for pants, but might be tricky for beginners – if you are unsure, start with a soft cotton.

How to make your own pants - the fabric pieces. Photograph: Jasmine Malone

If you want the project to be easy, alter the design a bit: "Consider making your first pair of knickers tie up at the sides, so they can easily be made bigger or smaller," advises Laurel.

Start sewing the pieces together starting at the crotch Photograph: Jasmine Malone

4. Next you'll need to add elastic to the waist and legs, which can be a bit tricky. To start off, sew the fabric pieces together starting at the crotch and at one side, leaving the other side open.

Measuring your elastic. Photograph: Jasmine Malone

5. You will then have to measure the elastic – what type of elastic you use is important, as you want it to be soft but also springy enough so that the pants fit. Using yourself as a guide, measure out how much elastic you'll need for the waist and around the legs. Before sewing on, fold the waistband elastic in half and use a pin to mark it. Then fold in quarters, and mark with pins again. Do the same to the full length of the knicker fabric across the waistband, again using pins to mark the middle and quarter points.

6. When you start sewing, you'll need to make two or three stitches to start off with, and then pull the elastic so that the pins match up at each point– this will ensure you've got an even stretch all round.

7. Use the same technique to attach the leg elastic and then sew the remaining side up.

8. For the final step, add ribbons, buttons or other decoration, et voila! New knickers!